Neupogen
(filgrastim)
Prevents infection during chemotherapy.
Our bottom line
Neupogen (filgrastim) can lower your risk of infection during chemotherapy, but it can cause a significant amount of bone pain.
- Drug class: Hematopoietic
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Neupogen (filgrastim) is effective at preventing infection during chemotherapy.
- There are no dosage adjustments if you have kidney and liver problems.
What to expect from Neupogen, on one page
Download Fact SheetDownsides
- If you decide not to self-inject and don't have someone to do it for you, you'll need to have your doctor or trained medical staff give you each dose of Neupogen (filgrastim).
- You'll need to properly dispose of the needle and syringe in a special (FDA-approved) sharps container.
- Neupogen (filgrastim) is not available as a generic, and is expensive.
- Neupogen (filgrastim) is injected every day, whereas Neulasta is injected every 10-14 days.
What to expect from Neupogen, on one page
Download Fact SheetNeupogen (filgrastim) is a colony-stimulating factor (blood cell booster) that's similar to a protein your body makes naturally. It works to make a type of white blood cell called neutrophils grow faster, which help your body fight infection.
- Drug class: Hematopoietic
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
- Severe chronic neutropenia
- Febrile neutropenia prophylaxis in myelosuppressive chemotherapy recipients with nonmyeloid malignancies
- Febrile neutropenia prophylaxis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following induction or consolidation chemotherapy
Dosage forms
- Injection
Prices and coupons
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What to expect when you take Neupogen (filgrastim) for Infection prevention during chemotherapy treatment
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Decreased platelets
- Nausea
- Fever
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Bone pain
Side effect rates for Neupogen (filgrastim)
- Fever48%48%28%28%
- Nausea43%43%32%32%
- Decreased platelets38%38%28%28%
- Fatigue20%20%10%10%
- Back pain15%15%8%8%
- Dizziness14%14%3%3%
- Cough14%14%8%8%
- Rash14%14%5%5%
- Chest pain13%13%6%6%
- Shortness of breath13%13%8%8%
- Pain12%12%6%6%
- Bone pain11%11%6%6%
- Joint pain9%9%2%2%
- Pain in extremity7%7%3%3%
- Increased blood lactate dehydrogenase6%6%1%1%
- Increase blood alkaline phosphatase6%6%1%1%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Neupogen.
People taking Neupogen felt side effect more
People taking Neupogen felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Neupogen (filgrastim)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Allergy to Neupogen (filgrastim)
Some people taking Neupogen (filgrastim) have had hypersensitivity reactions (severe rash, trouble breathing) and angioedema (life-threatening condition with swelling with or without hives). Most cases occur immediately, but can also happen days after you stop the medicine even if you were treated with anti-allergy medicine. If you notice these symptoms after your injection or days later, call your doctor and get medical care right away.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Common concerns from people taking Neupogen (filgrastim)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Although rare, Neupogen (filgrastim) can enlarge or rupture (break open) your spleen. A ruptured spleen is very serious and can cause death. Call your doctor and get medical care right away if you have pain in the upper left stomach area or in the shoulder.
- There are no dosage adjustments if you have kidney and liver problems.
- Pain or redness in the area of injection is common. Let your doctor know if you notice a lump, swelling, or bruising that doesn't go away.